Giles Hawke
Giles Hawke, chief executive, Cosmos Tours & Avalon Waterways
Giles has given Twitter's cherry emoji a whole new meaning thanks to his near tireless “b***ocks to Brexit” campaign. Remain's agitator-in-chief has long been on a one-man mission to raise awareness in the travel sector of the “impending travesty that is Brexit”. Boris Johnson’s recent ascent to No 10 has only fanned the flames.
Most likely to post about: Brexit, Clia, river cruise, sustainability, more Brexit.
@gileshawke
FOLLOWERS: 2,388 | TWEETS: 11.9K
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Juliet Kinsman
Juliet Kinsman, founder, Bouteco
Juliet was founding editor of Mr & Mrs Smith and now runs Bouteco, which offers sustainable luxury travel tips and champions design-led hotels going above and beyond. Often ‘gramming from far-flung lands, Juliet's sure to inspire you with her no-nonsense views.
Most likely to post about: Sustainability, West London, great hotel design.
@julietkinsman
FOLLOWERS: 12K | POSTS: 5,082
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Must Be The Mummy
Must Be The Mummy, PR to a well-known cruise line
Admittedly more likely to be found tweeting about social (in)justice than travel, this “PR person married to a journo” is well worth a follow for her views on the news, diversity and inclusion (and occasional travel item).
Most likely to post about: Inequality, her annoyance at the government, ships.
@MustBeTheMummy
FOLLOWERS: 420 | TWEETS: 790
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Mary McKenna
Mary McKenna, managing director, Tour America & Cruise Holidays
An outspoken business owner, Mary's latest crusade has been against the “ridiculous” claims culture in Ireland which she took to LinkedIn to air her views on before penning a column for TTG.
Most likely to post about: The business community, cycling, her son.
Mary McKenna
CONNECTIONS: 500+
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Neil J Sealy
Neil J Sealy, head of trade sales, Exsus Travel
Industry stalwart Neil (formerly of If Only) enjoys updating his Facebook friends on his learnings from here, there and everywhere, be it from a luxury holiday with his family (including his cabin crew wife Margaret) or an agent training event at The Ivy.
Most likely to post about: Destinations, Exsus, travel agents, funny pictures.
/neil.sealy
FRIENDS: 1,014
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Richard Singer
Richard Singer, chief executive, icelolly.com
Travel deals aficionado Richard – formerly of Travelzoo – is a regular tweeter, sharing everything from the latest tech news to his views on the PM and Sports Direct chief executive Mike Ashley.
Most likely to post about: Cycling, family time, Icelolly, politics.
@rsinger79
FOLLOWERS: 1,354 | TWEETS: 2,802
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Kate McCue
Kate McCue, captain, Celebrity Cruises
Giving us a cheerful insight into the life of a cruise ship captain, Kate posts pics from onboard around the world, often featuring her maritime feline companion, BugNaked (who herself boasts 27k followers on Instagram).
Most likely to post about: Funny snaps of her and her crew, Bug looking displeased, ship life.
@captainkatemccue
FOLLOWERS: 81.8k | POSTS: 1,944
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Bruce Martin
Bruce Martin, founder, Ginger Juice & co-founder of Travel Gossip
Travel's hotshot social media guru can usually be found on a train en route to one of a seemingly endless number of travel events and training sessions, making sure we all know the difference between @s and our #s. Plus, he co-founded Travel Gossip. If that's not reason enough for a follow, we don't know what is.
Most likely to post about: Social media, trains, Chelsea FC, the North, fairer politics.
@BruceMartin
FOLLOWERS: 5,021 | TWEETS: 19.9k
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Derek Jones
Derek Jones, chief executive, Der Touristik UK (Kuoni)
Derek (Degsy) can always be relied upon to pop up during your morning Twitter scroll with observations on something funny or political, or both. Expect incredulity. Derek also shares insightful blog posts including his excellent TTG columns - check out his LinkedIn page for more.
Most likely to post about: The state of British (and American) politics, pride in his staff, feedback on travel news, warm and fuzzy vids.
@Degsy_DJ
FOLLOWERS: 4,565 | TWEETS: 15.9k
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Kate Holroyd
Kate Holroyd, owner, Strawberry Holidays
Kate seems to be using Facebook as a great sales platform, updating her followers (more than 1,500 of them) on her travels and releasing regular vlogs (video blogs) on topics from "there's a cruise line for everyone" to top tips on "surviving a multigenerational holiday".
Most likely to post about: Personal holidays, #TravelTalk videos, great offers.
@StrawberryHolidays
LIKES: 1.5k
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Justin Francis
Justin Francis, chief executive, Responsible Tourism
In a year when young climate change activists such as Greta Thunberg and protest movements including Extinction Rebellion have commanded the news agenda, Responsible Travel's message has never been more relevant. Follow Francis for his insightful, passionate commentary on the travel sector's efforts to wrestle with environmental challenge.
Most likely to post about: Climate change, responsible tourism.
@justinmfrancis
FOLLOWERS: 3,359 | TWEETS: 6,929
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Lindsay Garvey-Jones
Lindsay Garvey-Jones, national partnerships manager, Holiday Extras
Arguably travel's most energetic woman, LGJ is prolific across all social media. Regularly seen passionately chatting away about Holiday Extras in video posts, you can't help but smile at her wacky ways and enthusiasm for agents.
Most likely to post about: Selfies from the road, pics of her family and home, Holiday Extras
@lgjhx
FOLLOWERS: 730 | POSTS: 273
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Dom Carrick
Dom Carrick, head of sales south, If Only
An industry legend these days - he's just marked 10 years at If Only - Dom is one of those indefatigable travel people who's Twitter feed will make you feel tired just looking at it, and hungry! Expect early morning train platforms and sassy banter.
Most likely to post about: Pictures of pints and delicious food items, and pictures of his lovely mum.
@domcarrick
FOLLOWERS: 1,656 | TWEETS: 7,935
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Richard Dixon
Richard Dixon, director, Holidaysplease
One of the nicest chaps in travel, Richard can often be found tweeting about his wife and his pride in his Birmingham-based Holidaysplease team. He’s also not afraid to give his two pennies’ worth on hot issues affecting the industry either.
Most likely to post about: Aston Villa, running (knobbly knees and all), Mrs D and updates on sales.
@RichardDixon66
FOLLOWERS: 1,740 | TWEETS: 13.6K
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Sarah Bolton
Sarah Bolton, Travel Counsellor
Experienced agent Sarah is full of the Twitter banter. She intersperses some lovely photography and industry updates – including her own self-made videos from fam trips to help inspire clients and prospective clients – with lots of cat pictures and videos… what’s not to love?
Most likely to post about: Inspiring destinations, cats, Brexit.
@TCsarahbolton
FOLLOWERS: 454 | TWEETS: 2,054
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Conference Kittie
Anonymous (sort of…)
Sassy as ever, Conference Kittie can be relied upon to say it like it is on Twitter, giving her take on everything from the current political climate to TV shows. Expect lots of rude subject matter.
Most likely to post about: Cats, conferences, TV, “pricks”, Crazy Bear Group.
@conferencekitti
FOLLOWERS: 4,873 | TWEETS: 7,201
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Bruce Poon Tip
Bruce Poon Tip, founder, G Adventures
A fierce proponent of responsible travel and good service, Bruce will often take to Twitter to air his views on the news and share the latest from G’s Canada HQ. He travels extensively and likes to update his followers on his experiences. His Instagram is worth a look too.
Most likely to post about: Politics, family, G.
@brucepoontip
FOLLOWERS: 30.8K | TWEETS: 15.3K
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Mark Duguid
Mark Duguid, managing director, Carrier
Runner and social justice warrior Duguid, who somehow also finds time to run Carrier, is deeply passionate about the good travel can do throughout society. Look out for his engagement with partners, charities and other thought leaders on topics ranging from diversity and inclusion to beach cleans.
Most likely to post about: Brighton, running, partnerships.
@markduguid
FOLLOWERS: 490 | TWEETS: 826
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Chris Wright
Chris Wright, managing director, Sunvil
Sunvil’s boss is a fierce advocate for social equality, particularly LGBT+ issues. Chris’s frequently hilarious and often personal takes on the interplay between travel and 21st-century life are not to be missed. Look out for his incredible fancy dress costumes, most notably during his recent Travel Trade Crusade escapades.
Most likely to post about: Social justice, airports, politics, Greece and Cyprus.
@ChrisStosWright
FOLLOWERS: 879 | TWEETS: 1,926
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Vishal Patel
Vishal Patel, sales and marketing director, Travelpack
He may not shout the loudest, but Travelpack’s Vishal Patel has quietly turned his Facebook account into a formidable sales tool. He’s often lauded on Travel Gossip for helping agents out with tricky enquiries and responds to messages extraordinarily fast.
Most likely to post about: Travelpack updates, cute pics of his kids, sports.
/vishal.patel
FRIENDS: 1,755
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Rhys Griffiths
Rhys Griffiths, partner, Fox Williams
Formerly of law firm Fieldfisher, Rhys can be relied upon to post opinion pieces on subjects travel folk really need to know about: package travel regulations, Atol etc. He also manages to unpick tricky topics and present them in a digestible way.
Most likely to post about: The law, regulation.
Rhys Griffiths
CONNECTIONS: 500+
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Charlotte Lamp Davies
Charlotte Lamp Davies, founder, A Bright Approach
Travel tech stalwart Charlotte consults for DataArt and advises for Travel Technology Europe, regularly tweeting about the sector. The “Dane living in and loving London” also has a penchant for the performing arts and even has qualifications in opera singing.
Most likely to post about: Musicals, funny and feel-good news, family, travel technology.
@Lottmus
FOLLOWERS: 1,767 | TWEETS: 18.5K
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Ashley Quint
Ashley Quint, travel consultant, Travel Time World
Never short of an informed opinion on all things travel, Ashley’s lit the touch paper on many an intriguing debate, particularly in aviation, and more recently on the subject of agent accreditation. Consider him travel’s very own canary in the coal mine.
Most likely to post about: Planes, routes, agent accreditation, fancy bank cards.
@LuxuryTravelled
FOLLOWERS: 1,721 | TWEETS: 26.2K
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Sarah Archer
Sarah Archer, UK sales manager, Beachcomber Tours
Another tireless traveller, Sarah likes to update her followers on her business meetings and greetings up and down the country, often with a bit of mirth thrown in. Despite living and breathing her employer, posh Mauritius hotel operator Beachcomber, she also loves her caravan.
Most likely to post about: Mauritius, wine, cosy outings in the caravan, extreme
fancy dress.
/ladyarcherbeachcomber
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Claire Osborne
Claire Osborne, solutions sales director, Travelport
Chair of AWTE (Association of Women Travel Executives), Claire is an advocate for diversity and inclusion and uses Twitter to help spread her views. She is also a musical theatre fan.
Most likely to post about: Trump’s latest gaffes, AWTE, pics from travel events.
@cl_osborne
FOLLOWERS: 194 | TWEETS: 1,686
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So there you have it...
TTG’s 2019 Social Squad. We keep an eye out for strong socials throughout the year. If you know of any folk from the far reaches of travel who you feel warrant a spot on the list, let us know by tagging us and using the hashtag #TTGSocialSquad. We've listed our channels below – go on, give us a follow and join the conversation!
@TTGMedia
@ttgmedia
/TravelTradeGazette
TTG Media Ltd
